A private effort is underway to try and save a 125-foot water tower in Stanton, painted to look like a Swedish coffeepot. Since 1971, a 50,000-gallon water tower in the town of Stanton has featured a giant handle, spout and knob. A sign on the edge of town says, “home of the world’s largest coffeepot.”

Stanton Coffee Pot water tower

Last month, the Des Moines Register reports a $1.2 million revamp of the town’s central water system will cease use of the tower. At minimum, an estimated $250,000 would be needed to safely preserve the tower as an empty landmark. Maintenance issues include no cover on the spout to protect it from rain and moisture. Repainting the structure would require costly sandblasting. There are also out-of-date ladders on the side of the tower.

Kate Peterson Sloop is spear-heading a fundraising effort to save the structure that has been bringing tourists to Stanton for decades. To date, only $100 has been raised toward the $250,000 goal of restoring the tower for the City. Organizers will be accepting donations for almost the next year and a half at a dedicated page on youcaring.com. (www.youcaring.com/other/save-the-world-s-largest-coffee-pot/109697)

Donations can also be mailed to:

Save Our Coffee Pot Fund
C/O Great Western Bank
PO Box 9
Stanton, IA 51573